Forum Discussion

imq707s's avatar
imq707s
Explorer
Jul 06, 2016

Does anyone tow a small trailer behind your camper?

I’m thinking about putting a receiver hitch on the back of my 19ft Crossroads travel trailer so that I can tow my small 8x10 ATV trailer behind it with two atv’s on it. Bad idea? I’ve seen some people who have done it and posted pictures online…..it doesn’t really look all that difficult as long as you weld in enough square tubing for bracing in order to connect the hitch to the main frame, not just the bumper. After looking at the bumper on the back of the trailer, I’d be afraid to even hang a bike rack off of it…let along try to pull a trailer.

Has anyone else welded in some square tubing supports to the main frame in order to make their travel trailer capable of towing a small trailer?

Any info would be great!

10 Replies

  • Bumpyroad's avatar
    Bumpyroad
    Explorer
    Jul 08, 2016
    ktmrfs wrote:
    SoCalDesertRider wrote:
    Check the laws for your state, every state is different.

    Some allow doubles, some don't.

    Some require the first trailer be a fifth wheeler, some don't.

    Some require the second trailer be a boat, some don't.

    Some have overall length restriction as short as 60 feet, some as long as 75 feet.

    Some states require a class A license with doubles/triples endorsement, some don't.

    You must follow the specific laws of each state you travel through. There is no reciprocity between states on double towing combination laws. There is reciprocity on driver licensing.

    You may be better off to haul the ATV in the bed of the truck, instead of adding a second trailer.


    best summary I've seen and right on the money. And as previously mentioned don't trust internet listing, contact the state(s) in question to find out exactly what is or is not legal for double towing.


    x2
    bumpy
  • ktmrfs's avatar
    ktmrfs
    Explorer II
    Jul 08, 2016
    SoCalDesertRider wrote:
    Check the laws for your state, every state is different.

    Some allow doubles, some don't.

    Some require the first trailer be a fifth wheeler, some don't.

    Some require the second trailer be a boat, some don't.

    Some have overall length restriction as short as 60 feet, some as long as 75 feet.

    Some states require a class A license with doubles/triples endorsement, some don't.

    You must follow the specific laws of each state you travel through. There is no reciprocity between states on double towing combination laws. There is reciprocity on driver licensing.

    You may be better off to haul the ATV in the bed of the truck, instead of adding a second trailer.


    best summary I've seen and right on the money. And as previously mentioned don't trust internet listing, contact the state(s) in question to find out exactly what is or is not legal for double towing.
  • SoCalDesertRid1's avatar
    SoCalDesertRid1
    Explorer II
    Jul 08, 2016
    Check the laws for your state, every state is different.

    Some allow doubles, some don't.

    Some require the first trailer be a fifth wheeler, some don't.

    Some require the second trailer be a boat, some don't.

    Some have overall length restriction as short as 60 feet, some as long as 75 feet.

    Some states require a class A license with doubles/triples endorsement, some don't.

    You must follow the specific laws of each state you travel through. There is no reciprocity between states on double towing combination laws. There is reciprocity on driver licensing.

    You may be better off to haul the ATV in the bed of the truck, instead of adding a second trailer.
  • mowermech's avatar
    mowermech
    Explorer
    Jul 07, 2016
    LIKE2BUILD wrote:
    BB_TX wrote:
    Some states....only allow towing a second trailer if the first is a 5th wheel. Check the laws of the states you are interested in.

    This is typically the only allowed configuration. As suggested, check the laws for not only your state, but every state in which you intend to tow through.

    The State Law Towing Guide from Hitchemup.com is one place to look for a combined table. If you open the clickable map from TowingWorld.com you can browse state by state for detailed information on legal towing configurations.

    KJ


    DO NOT trust any list of towing laws! I have yet to see one of them on the internet that could be trusted. Of course, I only look at Montana because this state is what I am most familiar with. EVERY list I have seen is WRONG!! From maximum length to towing speed to towed vehicle brakes; WRONG! Even the maximum daytime speed limit on the freeways is WRONG! They have an excuse there, though, they just haven't got around to changing their list since the law changed.
    In Montana, a truck/trailer/trailer combination with two ball hitches is legal. The maximum length is 75 feet for such a combination.
  • ryanw821's avatar
    ryanw821
    Explorer
    Jul 06, 2016
    Bumpyroad wrote:
    LIKE2BUILD wrote:
    BB_TX wrote:
    Some states....only allow towing a second trailer if the first is a 5th wheel. Check the laws of the states you are interested in.

    This is typically the only allowed configuration. As suggested, check the laws for not only your state, but every state in which you intend to tow through.

    The State Law Towing Guide from Hitchemup.com is one place to look for a combined table. If you open the clickable map from TowingWorld.com you can browse state by state for detailed information on legal towing configurations.

    KJ


    I thought that MN was pickup/ 5er/boat only, at one time.
    bumpy


    MN is Truck/5er/"Recreational" can be ATVs, boats, snow mobiles, etc...
    MNDOT
  • JIMNLIN's avatar
    JIMNLIN
    Explorer III
    Jul 06, 2016
    op wrote:
    Has anyone else welded in some square tubing supports to the main frame in order to make their travel trailer capable of towing a small trailer?

    Any info would be great!

    I'll repost your question for ya'.
    I've had custom fabed hitches welded to the main frame rails and cross members with one quarter inch thick walls...... 3" or 4" steel tubing and steel angles where needed on all three of 5th wheel rv trailers I've owned and several GN trailers for towing doubles with the 2nd trailers weighing up to 6500 lbs.
  • ktmrfs's avatar
    ktmrfs
    Explorer II
    Jul 06, 2016
    and even if allowed there is usually an overall length limit.
  • Bumpyroad's avatar
    Bumpyroad
    Explorer
    Jul 06, 2016
    LIKE2BUILD wrote:
    BB_TX wrote:
    Some states....only allow towing a second trailer if the first is a 5th wheel. Check the laws of the states you are interested in.

    This is typically the only allowed configuration. As suggested, check the laws for not only your state, but every state in which you intend to tow through.

    The State Law Towing Guide from Hitchemup.com is one place to look for a combined table. If you open the clickable map from TowingWorld.com you can browse state by state for detailed information on legal towing configurations.

    KJ


    I thought that MN was pickup/ 5er/boat only, at one time.
    bumpy
  • LIKE2BUILD's avatar
    LIKE2BUILD
    Explorer
    Jul 06, 2016
    BB_TX wrote:
    Some states....only allow towing a second trailer if the first is a 5th wheel. Check the laws of the states you are interested in.

    This is typically the only allowed configuration. As suggested, check the laws for not only your state, but every state in which you intend to tow through.

    The State Law Towing Guide from Hitchemup.com is one place to look for a combined table. If you open the clickable map from TowingWorld.com you can browse state by state for detailed information on legal towing configurations.

    KJ
  • BB_TX's avatar
    BB_TX
    Nomad
    Jul 06, 2016
    Discussed here frequently. Some states allow it. Some don't. Some only allow towing a second trailer if the first is a 5th wheel. Check the laws of the states you are interested in.

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